Shayne Nelson, group chief executive officer of Emirates NBD, noted that “lending surged by a record 24% in 2025, adding almost AED 130 billion ($35.4 billion) to our loan book, reflecting continued market share gains across the UAE and regional core markets.” He added “Our international diversification strategy continues to support strong and sustainable growth for the group. We've made further progress across our network, building a more connected and resilient regional franchise.”

Emirates NBD delivered profit before tax of AED 29.8 billion ($8.1 billion), up 10%, while total income grew 12% to AED 49.3 billion ($13.4 billion). Total assets increased 17%, surpassing the AED 1 trillion milestone for the first time and reaching AED 1.16 trillion ($317 billion). This performance was delivered as global interest rates began to soften, signalling a gradual shift away from the favourable rate environment that had supported bank earnings across the region in previous years. Net interest margin (NIM) declined slightly to approximately 3.5% from 3.6% in 2024, underscoring the need to balance rate-driven earnings with a more diversified income composition.

Nelson emphasised that the performance was driven by strong volume growth across all business segments and products, reflecting the strength of its diversified model.

Emirates NBD continued to broaden the composition of its non-funded income through multiple fee generating verticals. Retail cards remain a structural contributor, with the bank maintaining a 35% share of UAE credit card spend in 2025, reinforcing scale-driven fee income.

Patrick Sullivan, group chief financial officer of Emirates NBD, highlighted that non-funded income maintained strong momentum, with fee and commission income increasing by 18%. He added “The growth was driven by customer-driven businesses and product lines, with credit cards emerging as a particularly strong contributor.”

As deposits expanded by 18% to AED 786 billion ($214 billion), current and savings account balances increased by AED 44 billion ($12 billion), accounting for around 37% of total deposit growth in 2025. At the same time, loans grew by 24%, driven by expansion across retail lending as well as rising international advances, particularly in Saudi Arabia and other regional markets.

The wealth business gained momentum, with digital wealth transactions surpassed AED 40 billion ($10.9 billion) and total assets under management (AUM) exceeded AED 367 billion ($100 billion). In addition, transaction banking activity also strengthened, with AED 55 billion ($15 billion) processed through 187 APIs across the region, reflecting rising cross-border trade flows, payments and corporate cash.

Geographic expansion as a structural driver

Beyond domestic growth, Emirates NBD expanded its footprint across regional corridors. International income increased by 19%   to AED 3.3 billion ($0.9 billion), while gross customer advances outside the UAE grew by 38% to AED 78 billion ($21.2 billion), reflecting stronger lending activity across overseas markets.

As Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of Emirates NBD, noted, the bank’s priorities reflect “both the opportunities of a rapidly transforming financial landscape and the responsibilities that come with an expanding regional footprint.” He further emphasised that internationally, the bank will accelerate development across its network, with particular focus on advancing its strategic investments in India and deepening its presence in high-potential regional markets.

A defining step in 2025 was the agreement to acquire a majority stake (about 60 %) in RBL Bank in India. This move represents a shift from servicing India primarily through cross-border channels to establishing a domestic banking platform within the country. The investment provides access to local deposits, lending capabilities and distribution, enabling deeper participation in India’s credit and retail banking market.

Strategically, the expansion supports corporate banking relationships tied to UAE–India trade flows, strengthens the bank’s ability to facilitate cross-border financing and enhances its capacity to serve non-resident Indian (NRI) and high-net-worth clients with integrated banking and wealth solutions. It also aligns with increasing bilateral capital flows and the development of the India–Middle East–Europe corridor.

In Saudi Arabia, lending increased by 48% in 2025, reflecting accelerating credit demand. Further expanding of physical footprint with the branch network is expected to reach 24 locations by Q1 2026 to capture growth aligned with Vision 2030-driven infrastructure.

Sullivan highlighted that the pace of expansion will naturally moderate. He added “Obviously, it was super strong at 48% this year. As we go into next year, there is tighter liquidity in the market. Because we are funding this entirely onshore, we have a higher proportion of time deposits, we’re quite disciplined around that. We’re not going to grow in KSA at any cost to the overall margins.”

Across Asia, Singapore serves as a strategic treasury and wealth hub, supporting cross-border capital markets activity and corporate banking connectivity. Meanwhile, India anchors remittance and retail growth tied to expanding bilateral trade.

In Turkey, Deniz Bank, the Turkish subsidiary of Emirates NBD experienced a cyclical rebound in margins as interest rates declined from their 50% peak, It recorded income growth of 25% and profit growth of 12% despite a volatile macroeconomic environment. Sullivan explained: “There's some upside because of the ongoing conditions. It's not going to be a permanent baking in of that high margin because over time, the assets will then reprice down and come back to a more normalised margin.”

Embedding AI into the operating core

Emirates NBD expanded the operational use of artificial intelligence (AI) across core functions. Automation, API integration and AI-enabled risk tools were incorporated into payments, lending and control processes, aligning technology deployment with balance sheet growth and increasing transaction volumes.

Nelson added that technology remained a key strategic focus, underpinned by strengthened cloud infrastructure and expanded AI deployment across functions to enhance customer experience.

Approximately 98% of transactions were processed through straight through processing (STP), reducing manual intervention across payments, trade finance and retail servicing. AI-based workflow optimisation, exception handling and data validation reduced processing friction and operational errors.

API-driven transaction banking also contributed to efficiency gains, with AED 55 billion ($15 billion) processed through 187 APIs across the region. These integrations enable real-time connectivity with corporate systems, reducing processing time and operational friction.

In 2025, Emirates NBD formalised its AI agenda through the establishment of dedicated AI labs and internal upskilling initiatives designed to embed data science capabilities across business lines. It also reported the deployment of generative AI tools across multiple functions, including customer service, compliance documentation and operational processes, reflecting a broader institutional integration of AI-assisted workflows.

Shifting from scale expansion to sustainable earnings

The strategic direction reflects a transition in the earnings model as interest rate tailwinds moderate. Expansion is not merely geographic, it is corridor-led and earnings-focused. India and Saudi Arabia are positioned as long-term growth anchors tied to trade, remittance and capital flows between Asia and the Gulf. By deepening integration across these corridors, through lending, transaction banking, wealth and payments. The objective is to convert regional connectivity into sustainable income growth rather than simply expanding physical presence.

Continued investment in digital infrastructure, automation and data governance is positioned to support operational resilience, productivity and oversight as lending and cross-border activity scale.

The priority now shifts from expansion to optimisation. As Al Maktoum, Chairman of Emirates NBD, noted, the next phase will centre on advancing the Group’s AI-enabled transformation, leveraging advanced technologies to enhance customer experience, strengthen risk management and unlock new avenues for value creation.